The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Hon. Abubakar Gummi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his judgment on Thursday, ruled that Gummi’s defection was unconstitutional and directed him to vacate his seat immediately.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Gummi as a member of the House, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant position.
Condemning the increasing wave of political defections, Justice Egwuatu stated;“Politicians should respect the wishes of the electorate that elected them into office. It is legally and morally wrong for a politician to abandon the party under which platform he or she was elected and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate.”
He further added;“If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorate. Political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
The judge also ordered the lawmaker to refund all salaries, allowances, and entitlements received from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment, and to file proof of refund in the court’s registry within 30 days.
Additionally, the court awarded ₦500,000 in costs in favour of the plaintiffs against the defendants.
Gummi had defected from the PDP to the APC in October 2024, despite Zamfara State currently being governed by the PDP under Governor Dauda Lawal.
